How to Enable TalkBack on Your Android Watch.

February 11, 20177:24 pm

The TalkBack screen reader is now available for Android watches, and it can be enabled without sighted assistance. If you have a watch with a speaker, and you are running Android Wear 2.0, you can enable TalkBack by powering on the watch while holding two fingers on the screen of your watch. This is the same way you enable TalkBack on your phone. Currently, the new LG Sport and LG Style watches from LG and Google come already running Android Wear 2.0, but you will need to see if the watch you are purchasing comes with Android Wear 2.0, or can be upgraded to the new operating system.

From the developer

Set up TalkBack on your watch

Turn on TalkBack from the initial setup screen or Settings at anytime. TalkBack set up is only available in English. After you finish turning it on, you’ll be able to choose from other languages.

Turn on TalkBack when connecting your watch

1. Press the power button on the side of your watch to wake it up.
2. Press two fingers onto your watch’s screen until you hear a sound. The sound means TalkBack has been turned on.
3. Then follow the onscreen instructions to finish setup.
Note: TalkBack will be available in other languages after you finish the set up.

Turn on TalkBack anytime

The following steps require sighted assistance.
1. Press the power button on the side of your watch to wake it up.
2. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
3. Tap Settings Settingsand thenAccessibilityand thenTalkBack.
4. Turn the switch to On.
5. Follow the onscreen instructions and agree to any permissions.
After you turn TalkBack, text to speech will take a moment to start up. Please be patient. You’ll know TalkBack is turned on when you hear text-to-speech feedback.

Navigating with TalkBack gestures

For all gestures, use a single motion, a steady speed, and even finger pressure. Most gestures on Android Wear are similar to the main TalkBack gestures, except for the following:
Action
Gesture
Scroll forward
Swipe up
Scroll back
Swipe down
Put watch to sleep
Place palm over screen
Back or dismiss
Two-finger swipe right

About James Oates

James Oates officially joined the Cool Blind Tech podcast team in the summer of 2014. James is an advocate of accessible technology across all platforms, with an emphasis on Windows. As a former K-12 educator, James brings his passion for teaching to the CBT audience in an effort to help listeners realize their potential and explore new avenues of empowerment through technology. Blind since childhood, James currently lives in Florida.
You can follow him on Twitter, @BLIND_MATRIX